DA Sini announced the arrest of David Falco of Center Moriches, 52, for allegedly stealing funds from the Sachem North school district.

Photo by: LI.com News Team

Central Islip, NY - November 30, 2018 - Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini today announced the arrest of a former Sachem North High School physical education teacher and football coach for allegedly filing false claims of time worked to steal funds from the school district.

“Not only was the defendant allegedly stealing funds from the school district by falsifying his time sheets, he was also telling other individuals that compensation for that very same extracurricular work was not available,” District Attorney Sini said. “He used his position to take money from the school and to deny others of their rightful pay. My office will not tolerate any public servants stealing taxpayer funds and taking advantage of our residents.”

David Falco, 52, of Center Moriches, who also served as Chairman of the Physical Education Department at Sachem North High School, is charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a D felony; Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, an E felony; and Official Misconduct, an A misdemeanor.

Between Dec. 11, 2017, and June 12, 2018, Falco allegedly filed eight teacher claim forms to Sachem Central School District to receive compensation for supervising the high school’s north weight room. An investigation by the District Attorney’s Office revealed evidence that Falco was not working during the times for which he received compensation.

As a result of the allegedly false teacher claim forms filed, Falco received $5,755.68 from the school district.

The investigation also revealed evidence that Falco, while allegedly fraudulently receiving compensation for weight room supervision, represented to other individuals working in the weight room that compensation was not available.

Falco was arraigned today in Suffolk County District Court and was released on his own recognizance.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of two and one-third to seven years in prison.

Falco is due back in court on Jan. 31, 2019. He is represented by John Scott Prudenti.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Laura de Oliveira, of the Public Integrity Bureau.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.